“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – Mother Teresa

I believe the wisdom from Mother Teresa’s quote is most strongly felt within our hearts. When we begin careers or get involved in service it is likely that we believe, doing our best is good enough. Unfortunately, in many cases shortly after our initial enthusiasm, we come face to face with the needs of the community that are beyond our ability. This realization can be both a blessing and a curse. I would contend that the difference in its impact comes from within our own mindset and attitude.

Realizing that the needs of the communities we serve are beyond our abilities can be a curse if we do not develop sufficient faith in ourselves. The realization can be a curse if we feel we have already failed. It can be a curse if it causes us to doubt our efforts and become immobilized.  However, realizing the community we serve needs more than we can offer can also be seen as a blessing.

Realizing the needs of the community are beyond our current ability is a blessing because it calls us to look beyond ourselves. This process helps us to maintain perspective and learn humility. This process reminds us that our efforts are less about being everything to everyone and more about becoming something to someone.  Progress and innovation are the result of the need to develop beyond current capacity. Teamwork and community involvement build relationships that may otherwise fail to develop.

The San Diego Microfinance Alliance and its partners are a wonderful example of this reality. One can imagine that the small group of people that came together to form the alliance realized that they needed more help to serve more people. We can all see the progress, innovation, teamwork, and community involvement that the alliance has created within the San Diego community. The alliance currently has 13 partners committed to perpetuating and sharing the benefits of microfinance. May our work together continue to challenge us to reach new levels of service, education and community development!

Until next time, take care!

Written by Daniel Valcazar II, USD student

“Most supplements have extra ingredients in them, flow agents, release agents, coatings and colors, which are not desirable to all consumers,” said Thovaldsson, owner of Dr. Clark Store.

Thorvaldsson buys fresh, high-quality ingredients from top raw-material distributors.  He manufactures each product every four months to ensure high potency.  Each capsule passes through a sophisticated metal detector.

“We pay attention to both potency and purity because it ensures maximum effectiveness for the consumer,” he said.

With Dr. Clark Store clicking along at 15% growth for several years, Thorvaldsson accelerated the company’s growth by buying his main supplier and manufacturing company.  He tapped $200,000 in capital through San Diego Bankers Small Business CDC, managed by CDC Small Business Finance.  The loan provided leverage to obtain additional capital from the San Diego Regional Revolving Loan Fund.

Thorvaldsson used the cash injection to purchase a 5,000 square-foot manufacturing/warehousing facility in Chula Vista, California and finance inventory.

“CDC and Susan Lamping (loan coordinator) worked in concert with the other lender and seller to keep the ball rolling,” he said.  “They were instrumental in making it happen.”

CDC Small Business Finance is a partner of the San Diego Microfinance Alliance whose mission is to champion the growth of diverse small companies in our communities by drawing on our unparalleled expertise in delivering unique capital solutions. They provide loans to local business owners and start-ups that range from $10,000 to $2,000,000.

CDC offers fixed-rate, low down-payment, commercial real estate loans for the purchase of office and industrial buildings. CDC also offers an array of community loan programs focusing on women, minority and veteran-owned businesses – those small businesses that face the greatest obstacles to securing capital.  Additionally, in 2005 CDC created the Direct Capital loan programs, which provide financing through Community Reinvestment Fund to help small businesses, including nonprofits, in qualified areas.

To learn more about CDC Small Business Finance Click Here